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Sports	Harness RacingHarness racing is big buisness in America, Russia, Australia, New Zealand and some European countries, except Britain. More than 30 million spectators crowd to evening meetings in the Unitied States to watch trotters and pacers blaze a trail. That's more intrest than American football! Most harness races are for pacers, whose legs move in lateral pairs (near fore with near hind). However, there are also races for trotters, wo move in traditional diagonal gait ( near fore with off hin). Standardbred horses are the best breed for harness racing, often covering one mile (1.6km) in one minute 54 seconds or less. Famous American harness racetracks include Medowlands in New Jersey, Roosevalt on Long Island, New York and the Red Mile at Lexington, Kentucky.
Long Distance Riding.Long distance riding is the equine equivalent of marathon running- both horse and rider need to be in the peak of condition. The sport is divided into 'endurance' events (races over a distance) or competitive trail rides (a set distance at a stated speed). Endurance rides might be 25 and 100 miles (40- 160km) a day, or the latter may be split into two days. With competitive trail events, the target could be to complete 30 miles (48km) at a speed of 7- 8 miles (11-13kkm) per hour. Horses must pass strict veterinary checks for both competitions. Important long distance riding events are held in America (Trevis Cup), Britain (Golden Horeshoe) and Australia (Tom Quilty), as well as New Zealand.
Do you have a good sport you'd like to have mentioned?Yes? Then send the information by e-mail to me using the link below. Put 'sports' in the subject line.
paul@ford59.freeserve.co.uk. e-mail me! Every two months you can find two or more different horse sports mentioned here so remember to keep coming back and increase you horsey knowledge!